Hi Guys

I have installed an 1800 '94' (I believe) LSD diff and subframe assembly in to my 89 NA turbo.

All is good except for the additional diff/chassis bracing. The front bracing is designed to bolt to the floor of the chassis, just behind the drivers seat.

I presume the later model cars have this hole/threaded insert/nut made in the chassis at manufacture but being earlier my car doesnt have this.

My plan was to just drill the hole through the chassis floor and use a bolt and nut and huge washers to spread the load.

Unfortunately The location of the bolt hole is right in the area that you cant get access to..it has a bubble of sheet metal right at the base of the rear firewall preventing access from the top...

Has anybody encountered this before and come up with a solution....?

I have a few options but would like to see if anyone has done it before, or even if the brace is beneficial enough to worry about...although I would think it is.

 

I ran into this exactly when swapping in a Torsen. I ended up just chopping off the front 2 mounted points on the bracing and just bolting up the remaining that braces the subframe. That was 2 years ago, haven't touched it since. Works fine.

If you really want those front attachment points, maybe install some sort of threaded insert.

 

I ended up with the guys up the road from my work who have done all the exhaust work for me (an exhaust shop) and we made a tab that bolts in the floor under the seat and welded a nut to the top side for the brace to bolt on to.

The welded / captive nut fits in to a hole we drilled in to the gussetted area where the later models would have had the nut pre installed.

6mm plate on the outside and i think 3-4 mm up top inside the car..

It's a bit hard to explain but easy to see, will take some photos and post for anyones future reference...it works well.

Thanks for the reply comradefks, I came very close to doing the same thing.

 

I have a similar problem myself ... except that I have a 99 and the bolt that is inside of the frame of the car that the bracing bolts to has broken loose. It is on the inside of the frame and completely inaccessible. I am considering welding a bolt to the outside of the frame to bolt it up so it is effective. If you figure out a solution, can you put up pictures so I can see how you did it?

 

could u take pic? i have same problem

 

Miata Brace Tab Kit

 

thanks for that link. I was going to make this kit, but laziness may prevail.
*edit* crap, out of stock... at least i can use their pretty picture to make my own...

props +1.